A Flurry of Roster Moves

The Royals made a handful of roster moves after last night’s 8-2 victory over the Rays.

Teaford’s Turn

After dominating at Triple-A (4-0, 1.07 ERA), the Royals opted to shake up their starting rotation by promoting LHP Evrett Teaford to Kansas City. In turn, Vin Mazzaro was shifted to the bullpen where he’ll serve as the team’s long reliever.

This move has been in the works ever since the team’s starting rotation imploded during the Cardinals series where three starters (Chen, Mendoza, and Sanchez) combined to give up 17 runs in just 11 innings.

Everett will get the start tonight against the Rays as the Royals go for the series sweep.

Promoting Teaford required the team to make space on the 25-man roster. Keep reading, please.

Humerto Quintero: DFA’d

In order to make room on the team’s 25-man roster, the Royals opted to reduce it’s number of active catchers from three to two.

With Salvador Perez returning from the DL this past weekend, one of Brayan Pena and Humerto Quintero was bound to get the axe sooner rather than later. Given Pena’s ability to hit (he’s a switch-hitter), his improved defense, eternal optimism, and his history with the team’s pitching staff, the Royals opted to DFA Humberto Quintero.

Quintero, who is known for his catch-and-throw abilities, hit a mere .232/.257/.341 with 13 XBH (12 doubles, 1 HR) and had 19 RBI for the Royals in his 43 starts. His biggest weakness was his tendency of striking out (28 K, 4 BB). Pena was faring slightly better in his 40 games, hitting .268/.295/.358 with 9 XBH (8 doubles, 1 HR) and 13 RBI.

Being DFA’d (Designated for Assigment), means the team has removed him from the 40-man roster. Once removed from the 40-man, the team can do one of three things in a 10-day window with the afformentioned player: place the player on waivers (meaning any team can claim him – but only within the first 7 days of the 10-day period), trade him, or release him if he clears waivers.

I have no doubt that at least one team searching for catching depth at the big league level will take a flyer on Quintero. Happy trails, Q.

Bourgeois Up, Bueno Down

In their final move of the day, the Royals recalled OF/2B Jason Bourgeois from Omaha and sent left-handed reliever Francisely Bueno back to Omaha.

Bourgeois broke spring training with the Royals, seeing time in seven games for the Royals (.214/.267/.286, 1 double, 1 SB) before being sent down to Omaha. This is clearly just a depth move, given Jason’s ability to fill-in at multiple positions and has the ability to hit lefties well.

Francisely Bueno was called up back on June 23 after the Royals DFA’d Roman Colon. The lefty worked 2 innings in 2 appearances for the Royals, giving up 3 hits and 1 run.

I’d say the moves were made more out of necessity than anything. Quintero had to go because Sal Perez came back from the DL. Teaford was brought back up to aid an ailing starting rotation. Bourgeois is a speedy utility guy who can mash lefties, and Bueno was no more than an extra bullpen arm who was expendable.